Educational Technology Degree | Education Technology Graduate Schools

Many accredited education technology graduate schools offer graduate certificates, teacher endorsements, master’s and doctorate educational technology degree programs. The programs are often in residential, or campus-based formats. These may offer a cohort setting where you can work towards your degree with like-minded fellow innovators, teachers, professionals and classmates.

Many universities offer flexible schedules and part-time education, technology and online learning graduate degree programs. This flexibility accommodates working professionals with busy lives. Are you wanting to understand current technology to integrate it into your classroom? Or, do you seek to design instructional materials using educational technology? Find an education technology graduate school which alligns with your academic passions!

Instructional Design or Educational Technology Degree?

One of the things to consider when you searching for education technology graduate schools is whether you are interested in an instructional technology graduate program or a teaching-oriented educational technology degree. While they both do relate to the intersection of users(technology and education), working towards a graduate degree is one component of fine tuning your professional goals. Earning a graduate degree also helps leverage existing strengths.

What is an Educational Technology Degree?

There are a variety of educational technology degree programs to choose from. The orientation is that different media platforms and hardware can be used to support and facilitate learning.

Some of the subjects that students might learn within these programs could include[iii]:

Learning theories

Computer-based training

Online learning

Mobile learning

Learning management systems

What is Instructional Design?

While an educational technology degree might be oriented to current educators interested in e-learning, corporate training, and using current technology to facilitate student learning, instructional design takes a different approach. With roots in cognitive and behavioral psychology, instructional design is a process that involves 5 phases:[iv]

Analysis of the users’ needs

Design

Development

Implementation

Evaluation of instructional experiences.

Why Earn an Educational Technology Degree on Campus?

Some graduate students enjoy the traditional route of earning their educational technology degree on campus instead of through distance learning. Reasons for choosing in-person learning might include:

Many graduate schools are located in major cities, or in beautiful suburban areas. Thus, attending class is accessible by car or public transportation.

Not all graduate programs have student housing, but may have apartment options close to their campuses. These living options often attract students from their own communities who want the interaction that studying with others can provide.

Time spent on campus can be well spent: meeting with faculty advisors in person, using the library, participating in campus activities.

Some graduate schools use cohort models that engage their community of students. These cohort models also encourage participation, listening and professional networking.

Graduate level classes are often smaller than undergraduate ones. Smaller classes may offer more opportunity to learn directly from professors.

Some students prefer face-to-face interaction which includes: in class demonstrations and the visual learning experience that comes from live lectures.

Some students may find it easier to commit to a regular routine that involves 'getting to class', rather than having to be autonomous.

In fact, for students who choose the traditional route, the question isn’t necessarily ‘why’, it is ‘where’. Find accredited educational technology graduate schools on our site by location – city, state or country!

Find Certificates, Masters, Doctorate Educational Technology Degrees

Refine your search based on the program level - graduate certificate, masters or doctorate level programs may be available. While the general prerequisite for a graduate degree is a Bachelor’s degree, you should check with individual schools to determine whether you need an undergraduate background in education or in a related field. Also, bear in mind, not all programs lead into certification for teachers.

Graduate Certificate in Education, Technology & Online Learning

Educators who wish to ‘specialize’ in educational technology or instructional design are sometimes required by their State Education Board to earn an ‘endorsement’, license or certificate.[v] Earning a graduate certificate in educational technology may address those needs in a shorter term option. While program lengths and number of courses vary, you could be looking at an initial 18 credits which can sometimes be transferred to a 36 credit master’s degree.

Masters in Educational Technology Degree Programs

Masters in educational technology degree programs are varied. They may be geared to students with their teaching license or those who are working towards a graduate degree in conjunction with licensure. Choose an on-campus program that focuses on incorporation of technology into classrooms, online curriculum and instruction or instructional design. Program lengths vary, but can take approximately 2-years full time to complete. Research options such as the Master of Education (MEd.), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) in Educational Technology.

Doctorate Educational Technology Programs.

Doctorate educational technology programs tend to be research intensive. Some graduate schools offer programs that emphasize educational leadership. Other schools may emphasize instructional technology. Program lengths again vary. One of the potential advantages to working towards a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or Education Specialist (Ed.S.) is that it puts you in proximity to your faculty advisors as you research your dissertation topic.

Find Accredited Education Technology Graduate Schools

One of the things to look for when searching for an educational technology degree is accreditation. Accreditation can be at the institutional or programmatic level. If you are interested in educator preparation, it is wise to look into a CAEP[vi] accredited program for the standards it adheres to. Also using CAEP may help you earn a graduate degree from a regionally accredited graduate school.

Take the Next Step

As an individual concerned with facilitating learning through digital tools, the next step is to find an educational technology degree program at an accredited graduate school. Browse our sponsored listings such as:

Campus Master of Education & Teaching Certifications

Campus Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate

Doctor of Educational Leadership

Use the request info setting so that the graduate school you choose can answer your questions. Also the request info setting will help you schedule a visit, and above all, keep you abreast of application deadlines.

University of San Francisco

The Master of Arts in Educational Technology optimizes innovative technology and real world connections to prepare instructional leaders and technology professionals who envision the future of education and learning.

Northwest Missouri State University

Graduates of these master's programs should:
Discuss with and teach others the knowledge and skills necessary for operating computers.
Discuss the role of computers in the workplace and for various careers.
Demonstrate proficiency with the major...

About Us

About The Site

Follow Gradschools

Email newsletter signup

Email Address *

Leave this field blank

By entering my email address and clicking "Sign Up" I agree to be contacted by EducationDynamics for additional education products and services, this submission is not required to use our site. Privacy Policy.